Competing at the World Equestrian Games

Pas de deux partners, Todd Griffiths and myself, Brooke Boyd are one of the first set of pairs to represent Canada at the World Equestrian Games in equestrian vaulting.  The games are being held in Normandy, France at the beginning of September. 

Here is a little bit of background about the sport of equestrian vaulting: It is described as gymnastics and dance performed harmoniously with music on a cantering horse.  It demands an outstanding physical condition from the vaulter, a harmonious relationship with the horse and first-class teamwork.  The horse is guided on a long rein by a lunger standing on the ground who ensures that a steady canter is maintained on a circle with a minimum diameter of 15 meters.

The World Equestrian Games (WEG) is considered the ultimate Olympics in the horse sport.  Todd and I have worked extremely hard over the past few months and are very excited to continue our amazing journey.  To pursue this dream it takes a lot of continued support to help make this mission possible.  There are so many different expenses that need to be addressed which include travel expenses - both for the vaulters, the horse, and the lunger, entry fees, horse fees, accommodation and meals.  Please help us achieve our goal of representing Canada.

Todd is a veterinarian in Cardston, AB where he lives with his wife and three young daughters.  He is the head coach of the team and also a pas de deux partner with me.  Todd has been actively involved in numerous sports including gymnastics and track, as well as the performing arts, both acting and singing.  Todd is a dual citizen of Canada and the US.  As an FEI competitor he vaulted for the US up through WEG 201, but having made Canada his permanent home, he changed his nationality of representation to Canada in 2014 in preparation for WEG in Normandy.  This will be Todd's third appearance at WEG.

I was born in 1996 and reside in Olds, Alberta.  I have been passionate about horses from a very young age.  Pursuing gymnastics kept me busy until the age of 12. I began vaulting individually at the Meadow Creek Vaulting Club 4 years ago.  My love of horses and gymnastics made me a sure fit for this amazing sport.  This year I have been competing with the Alberta team, as well as pas de deux with Todd.  We have travelled to Lynden, WA; Springbank, AB; Gilroy, CA and Stadl Paura, Austria.  I look forward to competing at the World Equestrian Games.

Todd and I started training together in December of 2013 on a 17 hand quarter horse, Bubba Jazz, owned and lunged by Melanie O'Neill.  The first two competitions that we attended proved to be an adjusting period for us to get comfortable working with one another.  Our real journey started when we travelled to Gilroy, CA to compete at a one star level at the CVI Pacific Cup.  We had to compete in one round of compulsories and one round of freestyle where we received our qualifying score and placed first.  CVI Canada Cup in Chilliwack, BC was next and we competed as a two star pas de deux, where the competition called for two rounds of freestyle.  Our first round of freestyle seemed to be a little bit challenging, but we competed some of our harder moves for the second day.  It provided us with another first place finish and now a chance to compete in the three star level.  At the beginning of June, Todd and I travelled to Stadl Paura, Austria to compete in a European competition for our final qualifying score.  As we couldn't take our Canadian horse, we used a warmblood, Emelio, from Italy lunged by Claudia Petersohn.  Todd and I were so excited to receive our last score to be able to qualify for the World Equestrian Games.

Todd and I have returned home and are excited to continue our training in Alberta. Look forward to new and exciting changes.